William Hill's Champion Chase Betting update

I thought it was a terrific performance by Kalahari King to win on his seasonal debut allaying his trainer's fears he would need the run and be happy if he finished in midfield.

The is now challenging Twist Magic hard for second-favouritism though on ratings he should be a significantly higher price in comparison to the rejuvenated dual Grade 1 winner this season but, of course, we can not be sure that Twist Magic will run to those same figures at Cheltenham.

That victory was off a mark of 157 and I am guessing he will go up to around 165 so that now puts him in the ball park of what is required.

His conqueror in the Arkle Trophy, Forpadydeplasterer, on the other hand has been taken out of the betting following news from his trainer that he is almost certain to miss the race due to lameness. That may not sound like a serious injury, but Tommy Cooper clearly feels it will impact sufficiently on his training regime so he wouldn't be cherry ripe on the day and there is no point taking on the likes of Master Minded off the back of a far-from-ideal preparation.

As for the two-time defending champion, hopefully we shall know a lot more about his wellbeing on Saturday when he is set to contest the Game Spirit Chase. I say hopefully as the forecast for the week is to get colder and colder and this meeting was lost last year. His stablemate, Free World, now looks increasingly more likely to miss the Champion Chase now that Master Minded in the same ownership is back on track and he would have little chance of placing on his run behind Kalahari King at the weekend anyhow.